Vertical edging mill



April 2, 1940- J. A. SMITMANS YERTICAI: EDGING MILL Filed July 22, 19374 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR 9, a. M

MAM, r341 A; ATTORNEYS April 1940. J. A. SMITMANS 2,195,502

VERTICAL EDGING MILL Filed July 22, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 I I 'l' mINVENTOR A; ATTORNEYS April 1940- J. ASMITMANS ,502

VERTICAL EDGING MILL Filed July 22. 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 l NVENTOR A;ATTORNEYS Patented Apr. 2, 1940 UNITED STATES awssoz PATENT OFFICEVERTICAL EDGIN G MILL Application July 22, 1937, Serial No. 154,951

11 Claims.

This invention relates to mills, generally known as vertical edgingmills, for rolling the edges of metal blanks such as slabs and the like.As such mills and their uses are well known to those skilled in the art,it is believed unnecessary to go into a general description of themhere. However, some of the diificulties encountered in connection withvertical edging mills have been the relatively great amount of time andlabor required to remove the rolls from the mills for dressing orreplacement, and the tendency for the blanks passing through the millsto climb upwardly on the peripheries of the rolls and to thereby get outof line with the pass of the rolling mill to which they are beingdelivered.

It is among the objects of this invention to provide a vertical edgingmill of relatively simple construction having rolls which are readilyad- 'justable, which can be quickly and easily removed, and which areformed for resisting upward movement of a blank passing between them.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, in which Fig. 1 is an end view of my vertical edging millconnected to a a-high rolling mill; Fig. 2 is a view of the entry sideof the edging mill with half of it shown in vertical section takensubstantially on the line IIII of 1, the -high mill being omitted; Fig.3 is an enlarged view of the edging mill taken on line III-III of Fig.2; Fig. 4 is a horizontal section taken on the line IV-IV of Fig. 3;Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of one of the edging rolls showing thecorrugations greatly exaggerated in depth in order to more clearlydisclose the general contour of the rolls: and Fig. 6 is a view similarto Fig. 5 of a modified edging roll.

In accordance with this invention there is provided a vertical edgingmill comprising a pair of frames adjustable toward and away from eachother as is the usual practice. Each frame houses a vertical edging rollwhich is preferably provided with one or more peripheral grooves thataid in preventing a blank from climbing up the rolls. The rolls aremounted in the frames in such a manner that they can be removed .terallytherefrom without difficulty and without disturbing their driving andvertically adjusting apparatus. Each roll is driven from above by a gearjournaled on a horizontal axis. the gears of the two frames beingrotated by a common drive shaft splined therein. The two frames aresupported in such a manner that when the drive shaft is removed axiallyfrom the gears either frame, with its roll and associated members, can

be lifted bodily away from its support without disturbing the otherframe. Preferably, the support comprises parallel horizontal railsbetween which are disposed the frames which are provided with laterallyprojecting portions that rest 5 on top of the rails for slidablysupporting the frames.

Referring to the drawings, a gear casing l is rigidly connected in anysuitable manner to each end of a rolling mill housing 2 adjacent itsentry side from which the two casings extend rear- Wardly in parallelrelation. The two casings are rigidly connected at top and bottom byfour parallel horizontal rails 3 secured to opposite sides of thecasings.

Disposed between these rails in sliding engagement with their innerfaces is a pair of frames 4 which are suspended from the upper rails byintegral lateral projections 6 that rest on the rails as shown in Fig.3. Journaled on a vertical axis in each frame in a manner to bedescribed hereinafter is an edging roll 1 that is driven from its upperend. According to this invention each frame is provided above the toprails with a gear housing 8 in which a bevel gear 9 is journaled on ahorizontal axis. The gears are provided with hollow or tubular hubs l8in which is splined a common drive shaft ll driven from any suitablesource of power. Each bevel gear meshes with a mitre gear l2 journaledin the frame below it on a vertical axis in line with the axis of theedging roll below.

Also, in accordance with this invention and as shown in Fig. 2, eachmitre gear has a socket l3 in its lower end through which extends a stubshaft 14 that is rigidly connected to the gear and that projectsdownwardly therefrom. The upper neck of each edging roll is providedwith a reduced extension l6, and this extension and the stub shaft aboveare provided with aligned vertical grooves l! in their peripheries. Thestub shaft is detachably connected to extension l6 by a sleeve l8 thatencircles both of them and is splined in vertical grooves l1 so that theroll must rotate with the stub shaft.

To facilitate sliding of sleeve l8 up on the stub shaft in order todisconnect it from roll extension IS. the sleeve is provided with anannular collar l9 adapted to be engaged by a crane hook or othersuitable means to lift the sleeve. It is preferred to hold the sleeve inits upper position by means of a counterbalanced hook 2| suspended fromthe lower end of an arm 22 connected to the frame, the end of the hooksupporting the sleeve collar. Preferably, the upper and lower surfacesof the collar are inclined outwardly and downwardly to better trip thecounterweighted hook and to form a recess for the crane hook,respectively.

Another feature of this invention is that the rolls are removablelaterally from the frames so that they can be taken out withoutdisturbing their driving and adjusting apparatus. As shown in Fig. 2,each roll has its lower neck journaled in a bearing housing 26, and itsupper neck journaled in a bearing housing 21 in which it is slidablevertically. Each bearing housing is retained in the frame by a pair ofclamping arms 28 pivoted at one end on vertical axes to the adjoiningframe on opposite sides of the bearing, as shown in Fig. 4. The bearinghousing engaging portion of the frame conforms to the contour of thebearing housing as do also the arms which are fastened together at theirouter ends to hold the bearing housing in place. The fastening meanspreferably consists of a bolt 29 hinged in one arm and extending througha slot 3! in the other arm in which it is locked by nuts 32. Byloosening the nuts and swinging both bolts out of their slots, the armscan be swung outwardly away from the bearings so that the roll and itsbearings can be removed laterally from its frame after sleeve I8 isdisconnected from roll extension IS. The latter is preferably providedwith a knob 33 adapted to be gripped by a special type of crane hook toswing the roll away from the frame and lift it up between the rails.

By loosening nuts 32 on the lower bolt 29 to release the lower pair ofclamping arms from the lower bearing sufflciently to permit that bearingto slide vertically, the roll can be adjusted vertically with its upperneck sliding in the fixed upper bearing. This vertical adjustment isaccomplished by a wedge 34 on which the lower bearing rests. As viewedin Fig. 2, the wedge in the right-hand frame is actuated by a screw 35turned by a pinion 31 meshing with a pinion 38 journaled in the lowerend of the frame where it is rotated by a. shaft 39 splined therein.This shaft also extends through the lower end of the left-hand frame inwhich it is slidable, and has an end adapted to receive a wrench forturning it. The adjusting wedge in the left-hand frame is actuated by ascrew 4| which is turned directly by a wrench that may be connected toits outer end.

In order that the edging mill may accommodate blanks of differentwidths,'the two frames 4 are slidable toward and away from each other bymeans of adjusting screws 46 that are detachably connected to theirouter'surfaces. As shown in Fig. 2, the two screws for each frame arethreaded in interiorly threaded gears 41 journaled in the top and bottomof the adjoining gear casing I. These two gears are rotated to move thescrews lengthwise by an intermediate gear 48 journaled in the center ofthe casing and turned by a worm gear 49 at one side of it. This wormgear is rotated by a worm 5| driven by a motor 52 mounted on a bracket53 secured to the rear edge of t adjoining casing l, as shown in Fig. 1.

An important feature of this invention is that either frame and the rolland associated members carried by it can be removed bodily from the millwithout disturbing the other frame. This is readily accomplished bydisconnecting adjusting screws 46 from the frame to be removed,withdrawing splined adjustment shaft 39 from pinion 38 in the right-handframe, and withdrawing splined drive shaft II from pne or both bevelgears 9. By inserting a crane hook in the eye 54 connected to the top offrame housing 8, that frame can be lifted upwardly from between therails and deposited in any desired location where the necessary repairsor replacements can then be made.

A still further feature of this invention is that the edging rolls areformed for resisting the tendency of blanks to climb up theirperipheries while passing between them. Accordingly, the rolls areprovided with peripheral grooves that give them corrugated surfaceswhich bite into the edges of the blank 55 and prevent it from workingupwardly. When the edging mill is used in connection with a reversingmill the grooves are preferably a plurality of vertically spacedindependent grooves 56, as best shown in Fig. 5. Such grooves areequally effective in holdinga blank down whether it is passing throughthe edging mill in one direction or the other. However, when the edgingmill is used with a nonreversing mill through which the blanks alwayspass in the same direction, each edging roll may be provided with ahelical groove 51, as shown in Fig. 6. The direction of the helix issuch that as the rolls revolve, they act like screws which constantlyurge the blank downwardly against its support.

According to the provisions of the patent statutes, I have explained theprinciple and mode of operation of my invention, and have illustratedand described what I now consider to be its best embodiment. However, Idesire to have it understood that, within the scope of the appendedclaims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specificallyillustrated and described.

I claim:

1. A vertical edging mill comprising a pair of horizontally spaced railsprovided with horizontal surfaces, a pair of frames disposed between therails and suspended from said horizontal surfaces along which the framesare slidable, the widest part of each frame below the top of the railsbeing narrower than the shortest distance between the rails, meansdetachably connected to the frames for adjusting them toward and awayfrom each other, a gear journaled on a horizontal axis in the upperportion of each frame, an edging roll journaled on a vertical axis beloweach gear, means operatively connecting each gear to the roll below it,and a common horizontal drive shaft splined in said gears and adapted tobe removed axially therefrom whereby either of said frames with its gearand roll can be lifted bodily upwardly from between the rails.

2. A vertical edging mill comprising a pair of horizontally spacedrails, a pair of frames disposed between the rails and suspendedtherefrom, a gear journaled on a horizontal axis in the upper portion ofeach frame, an edging roll journaled on a vertical axis below each gear,means operatively connecting each gear to the roll below it, meansmounted in each frame below the roll above it for adjusting the rollvertically, a shaft journaled in both frames for actuating one of saidadjusting means and removable therefrom, and a common horizontal driveshaft splined in said gears and adapted to be removed axially therefrom,said frames being adapted to be independently lifted bodily upwardlyfrom between the rails after said shafts are removed.

3. A vertical edging mill comprising a pair of horizontally spacedrails, a pair of frames sus pended therefrom, a gear journaled on ahorizontal axis in the upper portion of each frame,

,tween the rails, r

4. A vertical edging mill comprising a support, a pair of framessuspended therefrom, a gear journaled on a horiz'ontal'axis'fin-atheupper portion of each frame, an edging roll j'oumaled on a vertical axisbelow each gear,meansdetachably connecting each of said gears the rollbelow it, laterally movable arms pivoted to.the frames for removablyretaining the roll's'inthe frames, means detachably connecting the'outer ends of the arms together and a common horizontal drive shaftsplined in said gears and adapted to be removed axially therefrom,whereby either of said frames with its gear and-roll :jcan be liftedbodily straight upfrom said support.

5. A vertical edging mill vcompris ng a support, a pair of namessupported ther'ebmfla vertically disposed edging roll disposedinieachframe and having an upper andj lower neck a bearing mounted oneachneck,apair of arms pivoted at their inner ends jonlvertical axes tothe frame on opposite sides of-fleachof said-bearings and engaging thebearings, and means detachably connecting the outer-ends of the arms forretaining said bearings intlie frame. 1

65A verticaled ln m comprising a, support, a pair of frames supportedthereby, a vertically disposed edging roll disposed in each frame andhaving an upper and. lower neck, a bearing mounted on each neck, apairof arms pivoted at their innerends on vertical axes to the frame onopposite sides of each of said bearings, means detachably' connectingthe outer--f lends of the arms for retaining said bearingsin the frame,

and means mounted .beloweachroll for adjusting itvertically. I v

7. A vertical edging mill comprising a support,

a pair. of frames supported thereby, a gear journaled on'a vertical axisin each frame, a stub journaled on a vertical axis below said stub shaftand provided at its upper end with an extension, said shaft andextension ,being provided with vertical grooves, a sleeve splined .onsaid shaft and extension for operably connecting them, said sleeve beingadapted to he slid up the stub shaft to disconnect the shaft from theextension and being provided with a lateral projection, and meansconnected'to said frame for engaging said projection when the sleeve israised to hold it in its upper position.

.8. A vertical edging mill comprising a support,

a pair of frames supported thereby, a gear journaled on a vertical axisin each frame,a stub shaft depending from said gear, an edging rolljournaled on a vertical axis below said stub shaft and provided at itsupper end with an extension, said shaft and extension being providedwithvertical grooves, a sleeve splined on said shaft and extension foroperably connecting them, said sleeve being adapted to be slid up thestub shaft to disconnect the shaft from the extension and being providedwith a lateral projection, and a counterweighted hook connected to saidframe for engaging said projection when the sleeve is raised to hold itin its upper position.

9. In a'vertical edging mill, an edging roll provided with a pluralityof vertically and closely spaced shallow annular grooves, said groovesbeing substantially parallel to said blank adapted to receive theadjoining edge of a metal blank passing through the mill to restrain itfrom working upwardly on the roll.

10. In a vertical edging mill, an edging roll provided with a helicalcorrugation of very slight pitch in its periphery adapted tofrictionally engage the adjoining edge of a metal blank passing throughthe mill for urging it downwardly as it passes the roll.

11. An edging roll foruse in a vertical edging mill, said roll beingprovided with a plurality of narrow and closely spaced circumferentialcorrugations adapted to press into the adjoining edge of a metal blankpassing through the mill and to thereby restrain it from creepingupwardly on the roll, said corrugations being disposed in parallelplanes substantially parallel to said blank.

JOEN' A. SMITMANS.

CERTIFICATE; OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 2,19 02. v f April 2, who.

JOHN 'A. SMITMANS. It is hereby certified that error appears in theprinted specification of the above numbered patent requiringcorrection-as follows: Page 5, second column, lines 29 and 50, claim 9,strike out the comma and words said grooves being substantially parallelto said blank and insert' the same I after. "roll" and before the periodin line 55, same :claim; and, that the said Letters Patent should beread with this correction therein that thesaine may conform to therecord of the case in the Patent Office.

I Signed and sealed this l th day of June, A. D. 191 0.

Henry Van Arsdale,

' (Seal I Acting Commissioner of Patents

